Printing transferring machine



May 12, 1942.

A. w. MILLS PRINTING TRANSFERRING MACHINE ll Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed May 8, 1941 1 d IF 2 J 2. M 17 5 /4 M w a a 2 M 0 m 2 0 7 wllwmm lllllll 1L.

a 6 PF IIIIUW INVENTO 4,22

ATTORNEY May 12, 1942. A. w. MILLS PRINTING TRANSFERRI NG MACHINE 11 Sheets-Sheet 2 11 Sheets-Sheet 3 A. W. MILLS PRINTING iRANSFERRING MACHINE Filed May 8, 1941 Y E s h m m A n: N\\ Q w w& I. H w. k m v. iii a v .l'1 ,7 5 NMW wk wwv mv QQ vm H 3 Q E o m I mQ v m S? m: i I I R u vm NM 2 M wk 8 u W hi -lm wm\ mm 2 am WN W0 mm 8 w ii. 0 viii, w i Mk um mm m May 12, 1942.

May 12, 1942. A. w. MILLS PRINTING TRANSFERRING MACHINE Filed May 8, 1941 ll Sheets-Sheet 4 wwvm wmw n S as ATTORNEY y 9 2- A. w. MILLS I 2,2 2,737

PRINTING TRANSFERRING MACHINE Filed May 8, 1941 ll Sheets-Sheet 5 4 I, 11 I III- vn 1 II a 22 FIG. 6. Fl 6. 7 we llll/l/l/I/ll/l. 267 2 4 53 Q In: ml

IIIIIIIHI 124 lea 25 INVENTOR Maw 2% ATTORNEY May 12, 1942. A. w. MILLS PRINTING TRANSFERRING MACHINE Filed May 8, 1941 ll Sheets-Sheet 6 IIIIIiIli-II- mull-I m2, ATTORNEY May 12, 1942.

A. W. MILLS PRINTING TRANSFERRING MACHINE Filed May 8, 1941 l1 Sheets-Sheet 7 May 12, 1942. A. w. MILLS PRINTING TRANS-FERRING MACHINE Filed May 8, 1941 i1 Sheets-Sheet a ATTORNEY y 1942- A. w. MILLS 2,282,737

PRINTING TRANSFERRING MACHINE Filed May 8, 1941 ll Sheets-Sheet 9 INVENTOR wwwzz A'TTORNEY y 12, 1942- A. w. MILLS 2,282,737

PRINTING TRANSFERRING MACHINE Filed May 8, 1941 ll Sheets-Sheet l0 FIG.20.

FA RLEY S' 01 SULLIVAN M 1230 '4000 wssr R M Q FARLEY 5 SULLI VAN M WEST R FARLEY S INVENTOR ATTORNEY y 12, 1942- A. w. MILLS 2,282,737

PRINTING TRANSFERRING MACHINE Filed May 8, 1941 11 Sheets-Sheet 11 FIG. 2 2.

FIG.23.

INVENTOR ATTORNEY Patented May 12, 1942 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE national Business Corporation, New

York, N. Y., a corporation of New York Application May 8, 1941, Serial No. 392,409

14 Claims.

This invention relates to a transfer machine and more particularly to a machine for posting ledger sheets by the process of preparing a negative record on the back of the original record, moistening the front of the original with a suitable solvent, and pressing the back of the original against the face of the ledger sheet.

A particular object of the invention is to provide improved feeding and aligning devices for the record sheets employed in such machine.

A further object is to provide means for effecting automatic and periodic alignment of the original sheet to insure accurate registration of the postings on the ledger sheets.

A further object of the invention is to provide mechanism for controlling the feeding of the original sheet so that multiple posting from a single line may be effected.

A still further object resides in the provision of novel mechanism cooperating with the posting devices for indicating for each line of the original sheet whether or not posting has been effected from the line and how many times such posting has taken place.

Other objects of the invention will be pointed out in the following description and claims and illustrated in the accompanying drawings, which disclose, by way of example, the principle of the invention and the best mode, which has been contemplated, of applying that principle.

In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a top plan view of the machine.

Fig. 2 is a sectional elevation taken on lines 2-2 of Fig. l.

Fig. 3 is a section taken on lines 3-3 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 4 is an enlarged detail view of the posting mechanism and the sheet feeding devices.

Fig. 5 is a view similar to Fig. 4 with the parts in operated position.

Figs. 6 and 7 are details of the pressure bar equalizing device.

Fig. 8 is a detail view of the clutch and clutch release mechanism.

Fig. 9 is a detail of the operating mechanism for operating the ledger sheet clamps.

Fig. 10 is a detail of the control device for auto- Fig. 14 is a detail of the line space and repeat key mechanism.

Fig. 15 is a detail of the'release key locking mechanism.

Fig. 16 is a detail of the ribbon operating mechanism.

Fig. 1'7 is a detail of the indexing finger operating mechanism.

Figs. 18 and 19 are details of the marking device.

Fig. 20 is a view showing the aligning devices for the ledger sheet.

Fig. 21 is a detail view taken on lines 2l2l of Fig. 20.

Fig. 22 is an enlarged view of parts shown in Fig. 1.

Figs. 23 and 24 are details of a special posting elimination shield.

The original paper from which the copy is to be taken is printed in a conventional manner on a tabulator, typewriter or other suitable medium and is backed with suitable carbon paper while being printed. The original may take the form of single sheets, fanfold or continuous roll.

The transfer is accomplished by interposing a ribbon or similar medium moistened with solvent above the area to be transferred and then applying pressure on the ribbon to bring the ribbon, the original and the ledger sheet or receiving paper together. The solvent dissolves a portion of the carbon from the original and deposits it on the ledger sheet.

The machine in its general operation is substantially the same as that disclosed in my Patent No. 2,189,043, granted February 6, 1940. The general operation will, therefore, be but briefly described with the improvements of the present matically releasing the pressure feed rollers of invention more particularly explained.

The machine includes a table or plate 2| (Fig. 1) supported between side frames 22 and 23. Upon this table is placed the ledger sheet to receive the impression. The frames 22 and 23 are rigidly joined by a lower pressure bar .24 (Fig. 2), bars 25 and 26 and a motor support plate 21.

A motor 28 (Fig. 3) provided to drive the several mechanisms of the machine is mounted on the plate 21. The motor, through a pulley and belt connection 29 and a gear box 30 supported on the plate 21 operates a short shaft 3| supported in bracket 32 and secured to the plate 21. A clutch disk 34 (see also Fig. 8) fast on the shaft II is provided with notches 35 about its periphcry, with which notches a clutch pawl 36 pivotally carried by a clutch arm 31 fast on a cam The arm 48 has a shoulder 42 which normally lies in the path of the arm 31 and of a tail of the pawl 36, thus holding the pawl 36 out of engagement with the disk 34. A stud 43 on the arm 48 fast on the stud 4| projects through a slot 45 in a link 46 whose right hand end is supported by a spring 46a. The other end of the link is connected to an arm 41 fast on a shaft 48 journaled in the frames 22 and 23. Also fast on the shaft 48 is a release bar 49, located near the end of the shaft and being arranged to lie conveniently on one side of the table 2| (see Fig. 1).

In order to initiate an operation of the machine, the operator depresses the bar 49, which movement rocks the shaft 48 and arm 41 counterclockwise thrusting the link 46 toward the right. At this movement, the left edge of notch 45 engaging the stud 43 rocks the arm therewith, removing the shoulder 42 from engagement with the arm 31 and the tail of the pawl 36. The pawl, thus freed, is engaged with one of the notches 35 by a spring 56. The arm 31 and the shaft 38 make one complete counterclockwise rotation.

A cam 51 fast on the shaft 38 adjacent the extension 58 of link 56 has a single notch in its periphery cooperating with a roller 58 on the extension 58. As soon as the shaft 38 starts to rotate, the cam 51 rocks the extension 58 clockwise freeing the arm 48 to be acted upon by a spring 59 which immediately restores the arm to its normal position. Near the end -of the rotation of shaft 38, the shoulder 42 reengages and rocks the pawl 36 out ofengagement with the disk 34 and stops the arm 31 and shaft 38. A spring pressed retaining pawl 68 prevents retrograde movement or rebound of the arm 31.

If the operator has released the bar 49 before the end of the rotation of shaft 38, the parts assume their normal positions when the notch in cam 51 comes opposite the roller 58. However, if the bar 49 is held depressed, holding the link 46 in its moved position, that is, toward the right, then when the cam 51 releases the roller 58, the pin 43 will rest on top of the link 46 and it will be necessary for the operator to release the bar 49, permitting a spring 6| (Fig. 8) having one end attached to an arm 62 fast on the shaft 48 to restore the link toward the left before another operation may be initiated.

Ledger carriage The ledger sheet indicated at 63 (Figs. 1, 4, 5, and 20) on to which the transfer is to be made is placed on the table 2|, with the first line (in the case of a new sheet) or the next blank line on which a copy is to be made beneath a transparent line finder 64 adjustably mounted on a bar 55 supported in a manner to be described. This finder has parallel lines scribed thereon to assist the operator in the proper positioning of the ledger sheet. The sheet is located on the table 2| with its left edge beneath spring pressed clamps 65 (Figs. 1, 2, 9, and 13) there being four clamps 65 mounted on the ledger carriage.

The ledger carriage includes a bar 66 (Figs. 3, 9, 13, and integral with a pair of spaced blocks 61 slidably mounted on rods 68 which are supported in brackets 69 secured to and extending inwardly from the left side frame 22. Referring to Fig. 15, it can be seen that a surface of the bar 66 is in the same plane as the top of the table 2|. A stop edge. 18 (Fig. 13) of the bar 66 locates the edge of the ledger when it is placed in position on the table (Fig. '20). The clamps are slidable vertically in the bar 66 and are normally urged downwardly to' grip the paper 63 by blade springs 1| secured to the under side of the bar 66.

After the ledger sheet is in proper position, the operator depresses the release bar 49 whereupon the shaft 38 rotates. Shortly thereafter, a cam 12 (Fig. 9) permits a spring 13 to rock clockwise an arm 14 mounted on a shaft 15 supported in the brackets 39 (Fig. 3). An arm 16 fast to a shaft 11 (Figs. 3 and 9) is connected by a link 18 to the arm 14. Also fast on the shaft 11 is a bell crank 19 whose downwardly extending arm is connected by a ink 88 to a bell crank 8| pivoted on a stud projecting from a fixed bracket. A bar 82 supported on the bell cranks 19 and 8| is normally pressed upwardly against the paper clamps 65 and against the tension of springs 1| by the cam 12.

The clockwise movement of the arm 14 described above is transmitted by the link 18 to rock the arm 16, shaft 11, bell crank 19 and due to the connection 88 the bell crank 8| counterclockwise to lower the bar 82. This permits the springs 1| to draw the clamps 65 down gripping the ledger sheet 63 firmly between said clamps and the carriage bar 66.

Shortly after the ledger sheet is gripped in the manner just described, mechanism now to be described is operated to shift the carriage a distance suflicient to move the selected line from its position beneath the line finder (Figs. 4 and 20) to a position under a pressure bar 83. This mechanism includes a pair of earns 84 (Figs. 3 and 13) cooperating with a bell crank 85 pivoted on the shaft 15 and which is connected by a link 86 to an arm 81 fast to a shaft 88 supported between the side frames 22 and 23. Another arm 89 also fast on the shaft 88 carries at its free end a pin 92 extending between spring connected arms 9| which also cooperate with the pin 93 in an arm 98. The arm 98 is connected by a link 96 to the rear block 61 of the ledger carriage. The spring 91 between arms 9| serves as a safety coupling between arm 89 which is secured onfshaft 88 and arm 98 which is free on the shaft, the rocking of arm 98 in either direction being through spring 91.

As the shaft 38 rotates, the bell crank 85 is rocked clockwise, which movement through the link 86 rocks the arm 81, shaft 88 and arm 89 in the same direction. This movement through the link 96 draws the carriage toward the right (Figs. 2 and 13) and toward the rear of the machine for the purpose set forth above.

In order to align the typed matter on the original sheet with the proper column on the ledger sheet, there is provided a plurality of index fingers 5| (Figs. 2, 4, and 20) each attached to a gripping shield 5|a (Fig. 1) slidably mounted on a rod 52 supported for oscillation between the frames 22 and 23. The ledger sheet 63 (Fig. 20) is placed in position on the table 2| and manually shifted to position beneath the pressure bar 83, at which point it is directly under the fingers 5|. The fingers are now adjusted along the rod 52 to bring the fingers in line with the limits between which it is desired to have the transfer appear as indicated in Fig. 20. With the fingers in their selected positions, the original sheet is inserted and the first line of typed matter is positioned with the top of the typed matter aligned with the bottoms of the fingers 5| and the first and last characters in line with the notches in the left hand and right hand fingers 5| respectively. The arms I64 (Fig. 4) are now operated to bring the rolls I39 into contact with the roll I31, thus holding the original sheet I53 in position.

The bar 55 which supports the line finder 64 (Fig. 20) is adjistably supported in slots in the side members or plates IOI and I02 (Fig. 1) of the moisture reservoir, to permit adjustment of said bar and the line finder 54 toward and away from the index fingers 5|. The purpose of this adjustment is to vary the line spacing on the ledger sheet 63. It will be remembered that the ledger sheet receives an invariable movement from line finding position to transfer position. Obviously, if the line finder 64 is adjusted closer to the transfer position, the spacing of the lines transferred to the ledger sheet will be increased, and if the line finder is adjusted farther from the transfer position, the line spaces on the ledger sheet will be decreased.

Referring to Figs. 4 and 20, the line finder 64 is supported in a frame 228 which is slidable along bar 55 and may be adjusted slightly in the direction of sheet feeding by screws 229 which are collared to straddle the bar. By turning the screws, relative movement is obtained between the frame 228 and bar 55 so that the scribed lines 230 may be accurately adjusted. The frame 228 also has two pointers 23I which are utilized when the ledger sheet does not have a previously printed line of data from which to measure but has ruled lines. Thus when the operator inserts a ledger sheet 63, if there is a previous posting thereon, it is aligned between lines 230, if posting is desired on the next following line. If posting is desired on some selected line not necessarily the next one, the ledger sheet is positioned so that pointers 23I are on the line above which posting is desired.

Frequently it is desired to post on each of a number of ledger sheets upon a line having the same location from the bottom of the sheet for all of them. In such case, alignment is effected by means of fixedly located stops 232 (Figs. 20 and 21) which are pivoted at 233 on an arm 234. This arm is clamped to the table 2| by thumb screw 235 in the desired position. Insertion of sheet 63 is effected by sliding it forwardly beneath stops 232 and then backing it against the stops which tilt to let the sheet pass. To remove the sheet the upper ends of the stops are depressed by the fingers of the operator to raise the stops out of engagement with the sheet.

Moistening device It was stated above that the medium for applying the solvent to the area to be transferred comprises a ribbon. This ribbon indicated at 99 in Figs. 4 and 5 normally rests in a solvent reservoir comprising a channel member I00 integral with side members IN and I02 which rest on and are removably secured to projections extending inwardly from the side frames 22 and 23. The ribbon 99 normally rests on a pad I03 resting on an angular plate I04. On the bottom of the channel I00 is a length of wick I05, the purpose of which is to maintain the fluid level of the solvent just high enough so that the lower corner I of the pad I03 is immersed therein. The solvent is supplied by an inverted container I06 provided with a spout I01 which is inserted into a receiver tube I00 so that the end of the spout I01 rests on the wick I05. When the machine is in operation, it rests with the table 2| at approximately the angle indicated in Fig. 4 in which position the level of the solvent is substantially as indicated by the dotted lines. The purpose of the pad I05 011' the bottom of the reservoir upon which the end of the tube I01 rests is to control the level of the solvent in the reservoir. If the end of the tube I0'I rested on the bottom of the channel member I00, the level of the solvent would fall until the aperture of I01 was uncovered. Then a sudden rush of liquid would raise the level too high. By use of the pad I05, the liquid is absorbed from the supply I06 as it is used, maintaining the level constant.

The pad I03 (Fig. 4) comprises a length of wick next to the angular plate I04. On top of the wick is a plurality of thickness of blotting paper and finally on the blotting paper is a length of fabric having a vertical pile or nap. It has been found that this arrangement of materials provides the correct degree of moisture for the ribbon 99 and that the nap obviates the tendency of the ribbon to stick to the pad as is the case when a comparatively smooth fabric is used. The purpose of the piled fabric I03 is to control the amount of solvent reaching the ribbon. Also, the pile permits the entire length of ribbon to leave the pad when it is moved to moistening position. If the pad I03 were provided with a fiat surface of closely woven or fabricated material, the center portion of the ribbon would have a tendency to adhere when the ribbon is moved, and the snap of this portion of the ribbon would throw small drops of solvent on to the sheet I53 causing the carbon to run and resulting in a smudged copy. 7

The ribbon 99 is carried tightly stretched between arms IIO fast on a shaft I II pivotally supported in the end plates MI and I02. The ribbon, as previously stated, normally occupies a position in contact with the pad I03, it being pressed thereagainst by the weight of a cover I I 3 fast on a shaft III 'joumaled in the plates IN and I02. raised and the ribbon 99 is swung to the position in which it is indicated by dotted lines (Fig. 5). The mechanism for raising the cover H3 and operating the ribbon arms I I0 will now be described.

Referring to Fig. 16, a cam II5 on the shaft 38 rocks an arm II5 on the shaft I5 counterclockwise against the tension of a spring I33 and by a connection II'I rocks a lever II8 clockwise.

The lever H8 is secured on a shaft II2 whose one end has an arm II8a fast thereon (Fig. 3). The upper end of arm II8a cooperates with a stud II9 carried on the free end of an arm I20 fast on the cover shaft I I4. The clockwise movement of the lever II8 rocks the arm I20 and the shaft II4 counterclockwise to raise the cover II3 from the position shown in Fig. 4 to the positio shown in full lines in Fig. 5.

When the cover H3 is partly open, the lever IIIla continuing its clockwise travel strikes the stud I2I on a gear I22 free on the shaft III rocking said sector counterclockwise against the tension of a spring I32. The sector I22 meshes with a gear I23 fast on the shaft III, the gear I23 and shaft III being thus rotated clockwise to swing the ribbon arms IIO to the position indi- At the proper time thecover II 3 is cated by dotted lines (Fig. 5), in which position the ribbon" occupies a position in the downward path of a platen I24 mounted in the channeled lower edge of the pressure bar 83, just DBI'OIB said bar starts its downward movement.

Pressure bar The pressure bar 83 is slidable vertically in grooves I25 in the side frames 22 and 23 (Figs. 1 and 5) and is operated by a pair or links I25, one being pivotally connected to the bar 83 near each end. The links I26 are connected at their lower ends to arms I21 last on a shaft in (Fig. 2), one of said arms oemg oisposeu near each end or said shaft. An arm l'zla (Fig. 2) is connected by a link I28 to one arm of a bell crank I38 pivoted on the shaft 15. A pair of cams I36 on the shaft 38 cooperates with antifriction rollers on the bell crank I38 to rock it nrst clockwise and then counterclockwise to normal. The clockwise movement or the follower through the link I28, arms I21 and links I26 lowers the pressure bar 83 to cause the transfer and the counterclockwise movement of said bell crank I38, through the same linkage, raises the pressure bar to normal position.

The shaft H2 at one end carries an arm 236 (Figs. 3 and 17) to which is connected a link 231 extending to a lever 238 which in turn is connected by a link 238 to an arm 248 on shaft 52. As shaft 3 is rocked clockwise to rotate the ribbon 88, a spring 24l will cause counterclockwise rocking of shaft 52 so that the fingers 5| thereon will be rocked out of the path of travel of the ribbon to the position shown in Fig. 5.

Paper jeed oriyinal Referring to Figs. 4 and 5, a feed roll I31 is mounted on a shaft I38 journaled in the frames 22 and 23. A plurality of pressure rolls I38 each carried between a pair of arms I48 are pressed against the roll I31 by springs I4]. The arms I48 are pivotally mounted on a shaft I42 supported in brackets secured to the cross bar 25.

Secured to one end of the shaft I38 is a ratchet wheel I44 (Fig. 14) with which cooperates a spring pressed feed pawl I45 carried on an-arm I46 free on the shaft I38. A link I41 connects the arm I46 to an arm I48 pivotally supported on the frame 22. An antifriction roller I48 normally rests on the flattened end of an arm I58 secured to the shaft 88.

It will be remembered that the shaft 88 rocks first clockwise and then back to normal position under the influence of the cams 84, the arm I58 making a similar excursion (Fig. 3). When the arm I58 rocks clockwise from beneath the roller I48, a spring I5I draws the arm I48 and link I41 downwardly rocking the arm I46 clockwise to retract the pawl I45. After a transfer has been made, the cams 84 cause the arm I58 to rock counterclockwise to normal position, at which movement an inclined or cam surface I58a of the arm I58 moves the link I41 upwardly rocking the arm I46 counterclockwise to feed the original copy one line space. A spring pressed retainer I52 (Fig. 14) serves to hold the roll I31 and the original copy in alignment.

The original from which a transfer is to be made indicated at I53 (Figs; 4 and 5) is inserted over a shield I54 passing beneath the reservoir I88, between a bar I55 and a plate I56, between the feed roll I31 and the rolls I38 and over the arms I48. The shield I54 is mounted on a rod I51 extending between the plates I8I and I82. The bar I55 is carried between two arms I58 (see also Fig. 2) pivoted on a shaft I58 supported in the brackets I43. A spring I6I holds the arms I58 and the bar I55 in the position in which they appear in full lines in Fig. 2. The plate I56 is secured to the shaft I68'and is normally held in the position in which it is shown in full lines in Fig. 4 by springs I62 attached to levers I63 which are also secured on the shaft I68.

In order to insert an original copy sheet, a pair of arms I64 (Fig. 4) is rocked counterclockwise. These arms are secured one on each end of a shaft I85 journaled in the brackets I43, and which shaft isprovided with notches into which fit the arms I48. Upon counterclockwise movement of the arms I54 and shaft I65 the flattened portions of the shaft bearing against the arms I48 rock these arms also counterclockwise to separate the rollers I38 from the feed roll I31. During this movement studs I66, one on each of the arms I48, contact the plate I56 and carry the latter therewith, the parts being shown in their moved positions in dotted outline in Fig. 4. This provides a free passage for the original sheet I53 between the bar I55 and plate I58 and between the feed roll I31 and the pressure rolls I38.

When the arms I64 are restored clockwise to their normal position, the springs I press the original sheet I 53 tightly between the rolls I38 and the feed roll I31. The clockwise movement of the bar I55 is limited by the arms I58 striking collars on the shaft I38 (Fig. 2). Adjustable stop screws I61 are provided to limit the clockwise movement of the shaft I68 and plate I56 so that, as the parts appear in their normal position in Fig. 4, there is a slight clearance between the bar I55 and plate I56 to permit free movement of the original I53 when line spaced as above described.

It is important that the ribbon 88, the original copy I53 and the ledger sheet 63 do not come into physical contact until the instant pressure is applied by the pressure bar 83. The reason for this is that it is desired to produce a clean copy without smudges or smears which would occur if the sheet I53'touched sheet 63 during movement of either or, if the moistened ribbon 88 touched the original sheet I53 before pressure is applied, the solvent would cause the carbon deposit on the back of the original to run so that upon application of pressure a smudged copy would result.

In order to avoid this and produce a clean copy, these elements are brought into close proximity but not into actual contact just before pressure is applied and are quickly separated thereafter.

To accomplish this, the mechanism described above and illustrated in Fig. 16 does not move the ribbon 88 all the way to transfer position but moves the arms II8 which carry the ribbon to approximately the position indicated by dotted lines in Fig. 5, in which position the arms II8 lie ,in the paths of arms I 68 (Fig. 7) pivotally As the pressure bar 83 commences its downward movement, the pins "I move away from the plates IM and I82. During the continued downward movement oi the bar 83, the arms I68 come into contact with the ribbon arms H8 and, since the springs I16 (Figs. 6 and 7) are of greater strength than the springs I32 (Fig. 16), the ribbon arms I I6 are rocked further clockwise to the position shown in full lines in Fig. 5.

Referring to Fig. '1, the arms I68 which carry the guide bar I55 are provided with bent portions or ears I14 which extend into the path of travel of the ribbon arms H6. The ribbon arms II6 come into contact with these earscarrying the arms I58, the bar I56 and consequently the original sheet I53 downwardly from the position shown in Fig. 4 to that illustrated in full lines in Fig. 5. Just before pressure is applied by the platen I24, said platen, the ribbon 88, original I58 and the ledger sheet 83 occupy the positions in which they are shown in Fig. 5, where it can be seen that, while these members are close together, they are slightly separated. The pressure on the arms I58 also presses the bar I55 downwardly against the plate I56 to grip the original sheet I58, thus preventing displacement of this sheet.

The movement of the pressure bar 83 is com tinued downward to apply pressure and then upwardly to its normal position. As the bar continues downwardly from the position shown in Fig. 5, the arms I58 and ribbon arms I I6 being stopped by the plate 2I the arms I68 rock to the position shown in Fig. 7, where the arm I68 is latched by arm I68. The purpose of thus latching the arms I68 in their moved position is to prevent the springs I16 from holding the ribbon arms H6 and the arms I58 down-until the arms I68 strike studs I18, in other words, to permit a quick separation of the ribbon 88, original I53 and ledger sheet 63 upon commencement of the upward movement of the bar 83. This quick separation is necessary to prevent smudging and running of the carbon.

As the bar 83 nears the end of its upward stroke, the ears "I of the pawls I68 strike the under sides of the plates IM and I62 unlatching the arms I68 which assume their normal positions in readiness for another operation.

As soon as the pressure isreleased, the mechanism illustrated in Fig. 13 moves the ledger carriage to its original position and the cam' 12 (Fig. 9) raises the bar 82 to release the grippers 65. The operator may now adjust the ledger sheet 63 to the next line or insert another sheet to the next unused line.

After the pressure bar 83 is restored, the cam II (Fig. 16) permits the arm I I8 to rock counterclockwise under the influence of the spring I33, whereupon the spring I32 rocks the sector I22 clockwise rotating the gear I23 and shaft III counterclockwise to restore the ribbon 88 to its position on the pad I63 in the solvent reservoir I66. The pin I3I causes arm I26 to return to rock shaft II4 clockwise to close the cover H3.

Also near the end of the operation, the paper feed mechanism (Fig. 14) operates to feed the original sheet I53 one line space.

Referring to Fig. 4, the lever I63 extends downwardly below the plate or table 2I where it cooperates with levers I16 suitably mounted to rock on a suitable rod. The lever I63, as set forth above, is rocked counterclockwise upon operation of the arms I64 to release the rollers I38 for the purpose of removing the old sheet I53 and insertinga new one. This movement of lever I63 rocks the levers I18, opening a pair of contacts I11 which are wired in series with the motor 28. This opens the circuit to the motor to prevent operating the machine while inserting a new sheet.

The foregoing describes the operation of the machine substantially as in the patent referred to. The improvements of the present invention will now be setforth with particular reference to their relationship with the structure of the prior machine.

Original sheet feeding mechanism It is to be noted that the original sheet I53 requires to be fed with considerable exactitude, so that a line of printed data is presented beneath the pressure bar for each operation of the feeding mechanism. Generally, the operator of the machine observes the movement of the original sheet, and by means of the usual vernier adjusting knob designated at I86 (Fig. 1) efiects a slight rotation of the feed roll I31 in either direction with respect to its supporting shaft I88, if there has been any slight creep or slippage of the sheet with respect to the printing position. Where the original sheet employed is of the continuous perforated edge type. the mechanism about to be described will function to automatically and periodically adjust the sheet, so that the operators attention in this respect is not required.

Referring to Figs. 1, 4, and 22, a pair of plates I8I are fastened one to each of the side frames 22 and 23. These two plates are spaced apart by a tie bar I82 and serve to support a shaft I83. Mounted on the shaft are two pin wheels I84 which are slidable along the shaft but .through key and slot connection are arranged to rotate therewith. At one extremity of shaft I83 there is secured a gear I85 (Fig. 11) which meshes with a gear I86. The latter is pivoted at I 81 on an arm I88 (see Fig. 22) which in turn is pivoted on a. stud I88 carried by a side plate I8I. On the stud I88 is a gear I86 meshing with gear I86 and also meshing with a gear I.8l which is integral with the feed roll I31. The gears I! and I85 are of the same diameter so they rotate with a 1:1 ratio. The arm I88 lies in the plane of the hub of gear I85 and the free end of the arm is normally spaced a slight distance away from the I hub (Fig. 11) where it is held by the following mechanism.

As seen in Fig. 22, the arm I88 is integral with a shorter arm I82 which lies beneath a pin I83 and in an arm I 84, which latter is normally urged clockwise as viewed in Fig. 12 by a spring I 85. The pin I83 rides in a cam slot I86 of a member I81 which is secured to the shaft I 65, to which the pressure roll release arm I64 is also secured. When the arm I64 is in position to permit the pressure rolls I38 to engage the feed roll I13, pin I83 is in the left hand end of slot I86, so that arm I84 is in its clockwise position as viewed in Fig. 12 and through arm I82 holds the arm I88 in its position of Fig. 11, away from the hub of gear I85. When shaft I 65 is rocked clockwise, roller I83 rides outwardly into the concentric portion of cam slot I88. causing pin I83 to rock away from the arm I82 and causing spring I85 to rock arm I88 against the hub of gear I85, carrying gear I86 with it. This slight movement causes gear I85 to advance slightly ahead of the flit! roll gear I8I.

Referring to Fig. 4, the original sheet is passed beneath the feed roller I31 as usual and then over the pin wheels I94 as shown. To do this arm I98 freely pivoted on shaft I99 is rocked clockwise carrying with it retaining plates 299 (Fig. 1) which are slidably positionable along the shaft I99 and which serve to hold the sheet in position on the pin wheels. With the pressure rolls I39 against the feed roll, the latter will advance the sheet in the usual manner and the pin wheels I84 will rotate therewith, with the pins moving idly in the perforations of the sheet. Once each revolution of feed roll I3I or specifically after eleven spacing operations (there being eleven teeth'in the ratchet wheel I44, Fig. 14) the pressure rolls I39 are moved away from the feed roller I3'I by partial rotation of, shaft I55 which, as has just been pointed out, also effects slight additional rotation of the pin wheels I84. With the sheet so freed, this slight additional rotation of the pin wheels will cause the pins to engage the leading edges of the perforations and, where there has been any slight slipafter, the pressure rollers I39 reengage the feed roll for another eleven operations when the pin wheels again act to take up any slippage. Thus,

' there is a periodic and automatic alignment of the original sheet through the rocking of the shaft I55.

The manner in which shaft I55 is periodically rocked may best be explained in connection with Figs. 10 and 22 wherein there is shown an arm 20] freely carried on shaft I55 and having an adjustable screw 202 which abuts an extension erate with an axially adjustable stop collar 209 which is threaded on a stud 209 in one of the plates I8I. Thestop collar is manually set by rotating it on the threadedstud 209, so that it occupies either of two positions, .one in which the collar lies in the plane of finger 201 and the other in which the collar is in its left hand position out of the plane of the flnger. With the collar in its left hand position, finger 201 is free to move toward the stud 209.

On the feed roller shaft I39'and in the plane of link 204 is a notched disk 2I0' which during its advance will have its notch in line with a projection 2 of the link, so that the latter is free to rock clockwise under the influence of spring 205. The hooked end of the link lies in the plane of a pin 2I2 carried by an arm 2I3 secured to the shaft I28 which, as explained, is

' rocked counterclockwise to bring the pressure bar downward against the sheet. During such .movement, the pin 2I2 swings counterclockwise and will engage the hook 205 so that, on the upward stroke of the pressure bar, the pin will draw link 204 downwardly rocking arm 20I counterclockwise thus efiecting the rotation of shaft I55 necessary to produce the aligning action of the pin wheels. At the extremity of the downward stroke 204, an adjustable pin 2 therein will engage the hub of .arm 2 I 3 to disconnect the hook 205 from pin 2I2 and spring 205 will return the parts to their initial position.

It is to be noted that shaft I55 is not rocked itsfull extent under the automatic operation just described but just enough to lift pin I93 I55 rock plate I55 to rotate shaft I50 upon which lever I53 is secured. The ultimate movement of lever I53 is not sufficient to open .contacts I" under these circumstances.

Where perforated sheets are not employed, the action of link 204 may be disabled by setting the stop collar 209 in its right hand position, where it will engage finger 201 and hold it in such position that the projection 2 will not drop into the notched disk 2I0. As a further alternative where perforated sheets are employed, the arm I54 may be manually rocked to the pressure roller releasing position shown in dotted outline in Fig. 10, and maintained there by an extension 2I5 on the collar 209. This has the effect of' holding the pressure rolls I39 out of. engagement with the feed roll I3'I, so that advance of the sheet is solely'through the action of the pin wheels I84.

The pin wheels are axially slidable along shaft I93 by means of forked arms 2I5 which are pivoted on the shaft I99 and held in position by thumb screws 2". When a sheet is first inserted, the pin wheels are spaced apart so that they are aligned with the perforated edges and engage the holes. The thumb screws are then turned down to hold the parts insuch position. Thereafter, an internally threaded knob 2I5 mounted on plate I8I for rotation therein but constrained against axial movement may be rotated. This knob is threaded on the extremity of shaft I99 and will thus move the shaft slightly in either direction, to move the pin wheels and the sheet to a position of exact alignment with respect to the ledger upon which posting is to be effected.

Repeat key operation Referring to Fig. 14, a repeat key US is provided which is horizontally slidable on a pin 229 and has a notch 22I which drops over a shoulder 222 when the key is pressed inwardly, to hold the key in such position, a spring 223 serving to hold the key in a slightly rocked position with the right edge of the notch 22I engaging shoulder ,222. In such position the inner end 224 of the key will lie in-the path of an extension 225 of the arm I46, so that when the machine is operated the arm is prevented from rocking effectively. A slight rocking, however, is permitted during which the spring pressed pawl 225 moves .to a position above the extension 224, so that on the return movement of arm I45 pawl 225 will engage and degress the extension 224, causing the key to rock about pin 220 .and disengage notch 22I from pin 222. The spring 221 will thereupon return the key to its normal position. This repeat key is pressed before a line is to be posted, so that the master or original sheet is not advanced during the posting operation but remains for second posting. During the second posting, however, feeding will be effected. Should a third posting be required from any line of the master sheet, the, key is pressed a second time Just prior to making the second posting.

A device shown in Figs. 18 and 19 is provided to indicate on the lines of the original sheet which lines have been posted. This device comprises a capped cylinder 250 from which a tube 25I extends downwardly beside the pressure bar 93. The cylinder contains a marking fluid which passes down through the tube by means screw 255. When the one end of a leaf spring 252 whose other end is fastened to a guide 258 which may be positioned along a slide 258 and secured as by a thumb pressure bar 83 descends, the lower end of tube 25l will touch the sheet I53 and make a mark thereon, as indicated at 256 (Fig. 20), spring 252 flexing when the tube strikes the paper. As noted in Fig. 20,-the mark 256 is made just above the line posted from.

When the repeat key is operated it moves a link 251, connected thereto into a position where a cam portion 258 thereof lies in the path of a lever 259 pivoted to the pressure bar. Thus, when the pressure bar descends for the first of two postings, lever 259 will be rocked by cam 258 and will move slide 254 to the left as viewed in Fig. 18, carrying with itthe marking cylinder 250 and tube 25l, so that the mark made will be to the left of its normal location. Upon return of the bar 83, spring 268 restores the parts to the position of Fig. 18, so that during the second posting stroke (key 2l9 having been restored as explained) the mark will be made in its normal position, resulting in two marks appearing side by side as indicated in Fig. 20, to denote that the related line was posted twice.

Referring to Figs. 1 and 6, there are provided two pressure adjusting knobs 26l above the pressure bar 83 which serve to adjust and equalize the pressure applied. These knobs are threaded to shouldered pins 262 whose lower ends are pivoted to the actuating arms I26. Thus the pins 262 make an excursion with arms I26 of invariable extent. By turning the knobs 26l, pins 262 and the pressure bar 83 are relatively sh.fted, springs 263 serving to urge them apart. Thus, when thick ledger sheets are to be used, the bar 83 is moved and when thinner sheets are used, the bar is adjusted downwardly. To indicate the relative adjustment of the parts, pointers 264 are provided, one at each end of bar 83. Each pointer is pivoted at 265 to bar 83 and has a short arm 266 resting on a shoulder of pin 262 against which it is held by a spring 261. A scale 261 indicates the relative displacement of bar 83 and pin 262, and with the scale reading the same for both ends of the bar, the operator knows that the pressure will be uniform along the length of the bar.

To prevent operation of the release bar 49 (Fig. 1) there is provided a lever 210, positioned as shown in Fig. l, which is pivoted at 2" (Fig. 15) and has a depending arm 212. Arm 212 connects with a slide 213 which normally lies in the path of arm 62 (see Fig. 8) so that operation of bar 49 and lever 62 is prevented. When a ledger sheet is placed in position it rocks lever 210 counterclockwise (Fig. 15) and withdraws slide 213, so as to free lever 62 for operation. A bell crank 214 pivoted at 215 has one arm engaging a pin 216 in arm 212 -and the other arm underlying bar 82 so that when bar 82 is moved down to permit the clamps 65 to grip the ledger sheet, bell crank 214 is rocked and in turn it rocks lever 210 away from the ledger sheet so as to not interfere with its movement into posting position.

Frequently there may be some data on the original sheet I53 which it is not desired to transfer to or post upon the ledger sheet. For this purpose, a resilient shield 280 (Figs. 23 and 24) is provided which may be slid upon bar 55 as shown and held in position by a spring clip 28L When in position as shown, the shield is interposed between the pressure bar 83 and sheet I53 of the device illustrated and in its operation may be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit of the invention. It is the intention therefore to be limited only as indicated by the scope of the following claims.

What is claimed is:

1. In a machine of the class described having an original sheet to be transferred, a table to support a copy sheet, a pressure bar to press the original sheet and copy sheet together, said bar being repeatedly operable, in combination with feed rollers normally engaging said original sheet to line space the same for each operation of the pressure bar, an aligning device for engaging the original sheet and adjusting the same to bring the lines thereon into a right angle relationship with the direction of feeding, said device being normally ineffective, and means called into action periodically for disengaging the feed rollers from the original sheet and rendering the aligning device effective.

2. In a machine of the class described having a sheet to be advanced past a fixed position line by line and an impression member operable repeatedly, once for each line presented to the fixed position, in combination with a feed roller frictionally engaging said sheet to line space the same for each operation of the impression member, a pin wheel geared to said feed roller and having its pins coacting idly in perforations in said sheet, and means controlled by said feed roller for causing the roller to be ineffective to feed the sheet, said pin wheel thereupon effectively engaging the sheet for feeding thereby.

3. In a machine of the class described having a sheet to be advanced past a fixed position line by line and an impression member operable repeatedly, once for each line presented to the fixed position, in combination with a feed roller frictionally engaging said sheet to line space the same for each operation of the impression member, a pin wheel geared to said feed roller and having its pins coacting idly in perforations in said sheet, means for causing the pin wheel to oscillate, and means operative after a predetermined number of line space operations for freeing the sheet from feeding engagement with the roller and rendering the pin wheel oscillating means effective whereby the pin wheel will engage the leading edges of the holes in the sheet and move the same.

4. In a machine of the class described having a sheet to be advanced past a fixed position line by line and an impression member operable repeatedly, once for each line presented to the fixed position, in combination with feeding means normally engaging the sheet to line space the same for each operation of the impression member, a second feeding means adjacent to the first feeding means and idly engaging the sheet, driving means therefor, and means automatically effective after a predetermined number of line space operations for rendering the first named feeding means ineffective and concomitantly rendering the second feeding means effective. 7

5. The invention set forth in claim 4, in which the second feeding means is eflective only during the interval after the predetermined number of line spacing operations and before the next folmeans controlled thereby when in one position,

rendering the second feeding means ineffective, when in another position rendering the first feeding means ineffective and when in a third position rendering both feeding means effective.

7. In a machine of the class described having a sheet to be advanced past a fixed position line by line and an impression member operable repeatedly, once for each'line presented to the fixed position, in combination with a feed roller, line spacing mechanism therefor, a pressure roller normally pressing the sheet against thefeed roller for advance thereby, a manually operable release lever for disengaging the pressure roller from the feed roller and means operable after a predetermined number of line spacing operations for automatically operating said release lever to momentarily release the a sheet.

8. In a machine of the class described having a sheet to be advanced past a fixed position line by line and an impression member operable repeatedly, once for each line presented to the fixed position, in combination with a feed roller, line spacing mechanism therefor, a pressure roller normally pressing the sheet against the feed roller for advance thereby, amanually operable release lever for disengaging the pressure roller from the feed roller, a cam connected to the feed roller and means controlled by said cam upon each revolution of the feed roller for causing an operation of said releaselever to momentarily release the sheet.

9. The invention set forth in claim 8 in which timing means is provided and coordinated with the line spacing to cause said momentary operation of the release lever to occur during the interval between two successive spacing operations.

10. In a machine of the class described, a pair of pin wheels, a driving shaft therefor, said,

wheels being slidable on the shaft for alignment with hole columns'in a record to be advanced,

fingers for sliding the wheels along the shaft,

a rod supporting said fingers, means for clamping the fingers to the; rod after the wheels are positioned, and means for moving the rod either way in the direction of its axis to concurrently slide both wheels along the shaft.

11. In a machine-of the class described having a table, a pressure barman original transfer sheet, a copy sheet being positionable in super:

fer sheet to the copy sheet, in combination with a supporting bar connected to the table, a shield positionable along said supporting bar and extending between said sheets beneath the pressure bar to prevent transfer of data from a selected part of the transfer sheet.

- 12. In a machine of the class described, a table, a pressure bar, a transfer sheet positioned between the bar and table, a copy sheet bein positionable beneath the transfer. sheet to receive copy upon operation of the pressure bar, power means to operate the bar, a key lever operable to render the power means effective, said lever being normally locked against operation and means controlled by a copy sheet when one is placed in copying position for causing unlocking of said key lever whereby said pressure sheet, index fingers wherewith the original sheet h the original sheet after each transfer operation,

a marking device effective upon each transfer operation to make a mark on the original sheet adjacent to the transferred line in combination with, a repeat key, means controlled thereby for preventing operation of the line spacing mechanism upon the first operation of the bar following actuation of the repeat key, so that a second operation of the bar will repeat the transfer of the same line of data, and further means controlled by said.key for causing the marking device to make twospaced marks ad- J'acent to the transferred line of data.

14. In a machine of the class described, the combination of an original sheet containing material to be copied, a table to support a copy may be adjusted in columnar relationship with the copy sheet to select a column to receive the transfer, a positionable stop attached to said table against which stop the edge of the copy sheet is placed, said stop being located with respect to the index fingers to select a predetermined position on the copy sheet, said stop being manually tiltable out of the plane of the copy sheet to enable the sheet to be readily Q removed by sliding in the direction of the stop stop toposition to receive the copy.

after a copy has been effected, and means to automatically move the -copy sheet from said ALBERT w. MILLS. 

